FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Washington DC, USA – April 22, 2025
SERI is pleased to announce that URS has become the first accredited R2 Certification Body in India through the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB). This milestone achievement will help make R2 Certification more accessible for facilities across India and surrounding regions, empowering more organizations to contribute to a sustainable electronics ecosystem.
Prior to URS’s accreditation, the region lacked a local CB/auditor infrastructure which created substantial challenges, particularly in terms of economics. Now, facilities throughout the region can access locally available certification services at rates more consistent with the regional market.
“This achievement represents a transformative step for electronics sustainability in India and surrounding regions,” said Sharada Rao, Chief of Global Certification Programs at SERI. “By establishing local certification infrastructure, we’re making R2 Certification more accessible and affordable, aligning with our strategy of building globally while focusing locally. URS’s accreditation is a big step in developing a culturally relevant R2 ecosystem across the region.”
URS worked with EcoStar Recycling, a facility based in Thane, India, to complete the accreditation process, showcasing the practical application of this new certification pathway. With its established presence beyond India, including the Middle East and Asia Pacific regions, URS is well-positioned to help build auditing infrastructure throughout these areas.
“This accreditation represents an exciting new chapter for electronics sustainability in this region,” said Mukesh Singhal, Managing Director at URS. “As a company with deep roots in India, we’re uniquely positioned to understand local needs and challenges, and welcome the opportunity to help facilities navigate the certification process with culturally relevant guidance and support. We look forward to expanding R2’s impact throughout the region and contributing to India’s growing leadership in sustainable electronics.”
This development is part of SERI’s broader initiative to create region-specific solutions for electronics sustainability worldwide. By establishing local resources, SERI can advance its vision of a world where all electronics are reused and recycled safely and sustainably.
Facilities interested in pursuing R2 or learning more about the process can visit sustainableelectronics.org/education-training for resources and information.
To learn more about URS or to connect with their team regarding R2 Certifications, please visit ursindia.com.
ABOUT SERI
SERI is a global non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in the United States with a mission to champion and drive the sustainable use, reuse, and recycling of electronics globally. SERI has numerous programs working to protect the planet and enrich lives by championing sustainable actions throughout the entire electronics lifecycle, including the R2 Standard for responsible electronics reuse and recycling, the eSummit, the SERI Champions Program, and IEMN, among others.
ABOUT URS
URS is a Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) company offering services in management system certification, testing, product certification, social audits, energy and electrical safety audits, inspection, and training. Founded in 1994 in England, URS has a wide network of offices all over the globe. URS has decades of auditing experience in the fields of engineering, automotive, information technology, food, textiles, apparel, consumer products, paper, hospitality, transportation, logistics, education, and the service sector. These sectors have assured confidence in URS, elevating the client base to over 55,000 organizations and more than a hundred thousand locations worldwide.
